DURHAM, N.C. – Duke rowers Katie Dukovich and Emily Theys were named to the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-South Region first team, and teammate Grace Cassidy was named to the second team, the CRCA announced Tuesday.

“I am so proud of the leadership and effort put forth by each of these women,” Duke head coach Robyn Horner said. “They were key players in the success of this year’s varsity eight. It is an exciting honor for us to have three student-athletes selected to the all-region team.”

Dukovich, Theys and Cassidy were fixtures of the varsity eight this season, powering the boat to numerous top finishes, including a second-place showing at the ACC Championship that included a defeat of No. 14 Clemson for the second time this season. Those three Blue Devils helped the varsity eight clock a season-best time of 6:25.1 at the Clemson Invitational on April 21 which was the fourth fastest time in Duke rowing history.

The three all-region selections are Duke’s most since 2006, while the two first-team selections mark the first time since 2002 that multiple Blue Devils have earned first team all-region honors.

Nominees for the CRCA all-region teams are evaluated on the strength of their team’s regional finish, coach recommendations and 2,000-meter erg score. Nominees must have competed in at least 75 percent of their team’s races this season. All members of the CRCA all-region teams are eligible for All-America honors following the NCAA Rowing Championships.

Theys, a senior from Stoughton, Wisc., was among the most decorated rowers to graduate from Duke this season. A four-year member of the varsity eight, Theys has three times earned All-ACC and All-South Region honors and powered Duke’s varsity eight to several top finishes this season, including a second-place showing at the ACC Championship. Theys, who is also a member of the US Rowing U-23 National Team, has twice been named to the All-ACC Academic Rowing Team and thrice to the CRCA Scholar-Athlete squad. She graduated from Duke in May with a degree in sociology.

Dukovich was named the ACC Freshman of the Year after rowing with the varsity eight her entire freshman campaign. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., she is the first Duke rower to earn the league’s freshman of the year award.

Cassidy, a junior from New Fairfield, Conn., has been a mainstay of the varsity eight since her freshman year. This is her first CRCA All-South Region honor.

Duke has earned 23 CRCA All-South Region honors in the program's 15 years of existence.